The Mat-Su effort partners with the Alaska State Troopers and coincides with the federal take-back intiative. Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, all too often leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse. The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America. Drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved, and if flushed can harm the water supply. This event offers an anonymous way to drop off your unwanted prescription and over-the-counter meds.

The Mat-Su program has collected a total of 975 pounds of medications from four take-back events.

"I think awareness is growing and people look forward to it," said Ali Little, project manager for the Borough on the drug take-back event. "Lots and lots of calls come before and after the event, wanting to know where and when, and now people want to know when there will be a permanent drop off site. We're working on that right now," Little said.